15 CLASS 1A DIVISION II GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2023-24
 

 

MEA ALEXANDER, SOUTH CENTRAL

Alexander was a top contributor as a sophomore for the Timberwolves, averaging 12.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.7 steals. She was a second-team All-SPIAA pick and honorable mention selection on the KSHSAA Covered All-1A Division II team. The Timberwolves will look to build on an 11-11 season. They fell 30-25 to South Haven in the sub-state final last season. 

MARY BAIRD, NORTHERN VALLEY

Baird led a balanced Northern Valley scoring attack with 10.8 points per game last year and grabbed 6.6 rebounds a game. She scored a season-high 22 points against Stockton. Baird was honorable mention All-1A Division II by KSHSAA Covered and a first-team All-Western Kansas Liberty selection. The Huskies went 14-8 last season.
 

JERSI BENISCH, WALLACE COUNTY

Benisch led the Wildcats in scoring as a freshman with 13 points per game and also notched a team-high 3.6 steals per game. She was an honorable mention pick on KSHSAA Covered’s All-1A Division II team and a second-team All-Northwest Kansas League selection. Benisch scored a career-high 25 to help the Wildcats beat Golden Plains in the sub-state final last year. Wallace County fell to eventual champion Hanover in the first round.

 

CARLIE BRUMMER, BELOIT-ST. JOHN'S

After playing a key role as a freshman in 2021-22, Brummer emerged as the Blujays top scorer last year. She averaged 15.8 points along with 4.7 rebounds and 3.4 steals to help Beloit-St. John’s take fourth place in 1A Division II. Brummer had five games with 20 points or more. She was a second-team All-Northern Plains League pick and a second-team selection on the All-1A Division II team by KSHSAA Covered. Beloit-St. John’s finished 20-6 last season.

  ANSLEY DELIMONT, LOGAN-PALCO

Delimont was the only Logan-Palco player to average double figures last year, posting 10.7 points per game, 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 steals as a junior. She had three games with 20 points more. Delimont earned first-team All-Western Kansas Liberty League honors and was honorable mention on KSHSAA Covered’s All 1A-Division II team. Logan-Palco will look to improve from last year’s 7-13 season.

 

SAIGE HADLEY, LEBO
 
Despite averaging 15 points per game last season, Hadley was perhaps a bit overshadowed by teammates Brooklyn Jones and Audrey Peek, each of whom were over 17 points per game. But make no mistake, her play was just as key in Lebo reeling off a 25-1 record and finishing runner-up in Class 1A Division II. Hadley was a first-team All-Lyon County League and honorable mention All-Class 1A Division II pick. She won’t be in the shadows this year with Jones graduating, but teaming with Peek still gives Lebo a dynamic 1-2 punch as the Wolves look to finish this season as state champs.

 

OLIVIA HANDS, PAWNEE HEIGHTS

Hands put together an impressive junior season to lead the Tigers to their first state tournament appearance in program history. She nearly averaged a double-double with 19.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Pawnee Heights earned its state berth with a 39-31 win over Wilson in the sub-state final, despite having just six players. Unfortunately, Hands was sidelined for the state tournament game against eventual runner-up Lebo with an ankle injury. After another player was injured early in the game, Pawnee Heights was forced to finish the game with just four players. The Tigers went 10-14 last season.
 

 

SYDNIE JONES, BUCKLIN

Jones was instrumental in helping the Red Aces post a 20-5 season and take third place in Class 1A Division II last year. She led the team with 14.9 points per game as a junior, adding 6.1 rebounds and 3.4 steals. She had four games with 20 points or more. Jones earned honorable mentions honors on KSHSAA Covered’s All-1A Division II team and was a second-team All-SPIAA pick. The Red Aces lost a key senior in Halie Feikert but return everyone else.

 

ANNA JUENEMAN, HANOVER
 
On a team loaded with talented upperclassmen, Jueneman became arguably Hanover’s top player last year, helping the Wildcats to a 26-0 record and the Class 1A Division II state championship. Jueneman was Hanover’s leading scorer at 13 points per game and also tied for the team lead in steals with 3.4 per game. Jueneman scored 20 points in the Wildcats’ 59-34 romp past fellow unbeaten Lebo in the state title game, and averaged 17.3 points per game at the state tourney to lead all scorers. Jueneman was a first-team All-Twin Valley League and first-team All-Class 1A Division II selection. She was a state champion in track in the spring as well, winning the Class 1A title in the 400 and taking second in the 200.
 

AUDREY PEEK, LEBO
 
A four-year starter at point guard for Lebo, Peek has led the Wolves to back-to-back Class 1A Division II state tournament appearances with Lebo finishing runner-up to Hanover last year, the loss in the title game the only one for the Wolves last year. Peek was part of a three-headed scoring monster for the Wolves along with Brooklyn Jones and Saige Hadley – each of whom came in at 15 points per game or more. Peek ranked just behind Jones at 17.6 points per game while also adding 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 4 steals per game. She was a unanimous All-Lyon County League selection and earned first-team All-Class 1A Division II honors as well. With Jones gone, Peek could be called on to score even more this year while running the Wolves’ offense. She is just 89 points away from becoming just the fifth Lebo player to score 1,000 points.
 

AUBREY POND, SOUTH HAVEN
 
Pond scored 20 points in a South Central Border League tournament third-place victory over Udall and ignited a hot streak over the season’s second half for the Cardinals, who reached the Class 1A Division II state tournament for the second straight year. She also scored 12 in South Haven’s 30-25 victory over South Central in the sub-state finals. More often, though, she led a balanced South Haven attack in which all five starters averaged between 5 and 9 points. Pond is one of three returning starters looking to get the Cardinals to state again.

 

ZOIE REDGATE, ATTICA
 
Redgate stepped up as Attica’s leading scorer last winter, filling some of the void left by all-state second teamer Tamara Lozoya’s graduation. Now a junior, she averaged 15.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3 assists and 5.7 steals as the Bulldogs finished 16-5. Redgate earned All-Class 1A Division II third-team and All Heart of the Plains first-team honors. Redgate averaged 7.9 points and over 4 steals during her freshman campaign, which ended with a one-point loss to South Haven in the sub-state finals.

 

AUBREE RICHARDSON, WALLACE COUNTY

Richardson is expected to be a huge addition to Wallace County after previously playing for Weskan. She was the Coyotes’ top offensive weapon a year ago and was a first-team All-Western Kansas Liberty League pick. She’ll join a Wallace County team that is coming off a state tournament appearance.   

KAROLINE SCHROEDER, WHEATLAND-GRINNELL

Schroeder averaged a double-double last year at 11.7 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. She scored a season-high 26 points against Northern Valley. Schroeder was a first-team All-Western Kansas Liberty League selection and honorable mention All-1A Division II by KSHSAA Covered. The Thunderhawks are coming off an 11-11 season.
 

OLIVIA STEIN, INGALLS

Stein was an immediate contributor after entering the program as a freshman last season, averaging 9.8 points and 12.9 rebounds. Her season high was 24 points against Minneola. Stein was honorable mention All-1A Division II by KSHSAA Covered and a second-team All-SPIAA pick. The Bulldogs are coming off an 8-14 season.